BookPeople of Austin, Tex., is this year's PW Bookseller of the Year. The store made headlines earlier this month when it hosted a party for a book about a murder committed by its former general manager. And although BookPeople helped spearhead the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign, it is distinguished in less weird ways, too, such as by its outstanding staff training, events, community involvement and merchandising.
PW's 2005 Rep of the Year is Charlie Boswell, a Midwest rep with Heinecken & Associates. Boswell has been in publishing his entire career, having been book buyer and bookstore owner before moving on to become a publisher rep.
Both winners will receive their awards in presentations made as a part of the ABA's Celebration of Bookselling at the end of the first day of BEA, Friday, June 3.
